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EP 273 How Venue Networks & Influencers Are Changing the Industry with Anna VanAgtmael

Release Date: 06/04/2026

Throwback Thursday: The Real Reasons Your Retreat Isn't Selling Out

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

Why isn't your retreat filling? It's one of the questions I get asked more than any other. And while marketing has changed dramatically since this episode first aired-with AI, SEO, and new ways people discover retreats-the core reasons retreats don't fill are surprisingly the same. That's why I'm bringing back this Throwback Thursday episode. In this conversation, I break down the most common reasons retreat leaders struggle to enroll guests and, more importantly, what you can do about it. We cover everything from mindset and messaging to marketing, pricing, and positioning because filling a...

Throwback Thursday: The Retreat Hosting Lessons That Never Go Out of Style

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

Some retreat lessons never go out of style. In this Throwback Thursday episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail revisits one of her favorite conversations with Chelle Swierz, founder of Topia Boutique Retreat Center in Baja California Sur, Mexico. While marketing trends, AI, and visibility strategies continue to evolve, the core principles of creating exceptional retreat experiences remain the same. In this conversation, Chelle shares the common mistakes she sees retreat leaders make—and many of them are still happening today. From poor guest preparation and...

Throwback Thursday: The Retreat Pricing Mistake That's Costing You Thousands with Erin Haag

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

This week's Throwback Thursday episode tackles one of the biggest challenges facing retreat leaders today: Pricing. Because let's be honest... Most retreat leaders aren't struggling because they don't know how to host a great retreat. They're struggling because they're underpricing their expertise, their experiences, and the transformation they provide. In this popular episode, Shannon Jamail sits down with retreat pricing expert Erin Haag to discuss the difference between attracting price shoppers and attracting value-driven buyers. Together they explore why so many retreat leaders:...

Throwback Thursday: What If Your Retreat Could Be Worth $55,000? A Conversation on Confidence, Conviction & Premium Retreats with Kyera Kacey

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

This week's Throwback Thursday episode is one that will challenge your thinking. And that's exactly why I'm bringing it back. In this powerful conversation, Shannon Jamail sits down with Kyera Kacey, a bold entrepreneur, speaker, and retreat leader known for helping people break through limitations around money, confidence, and self-worth. Love her approach or disagree with parts of it, one thing is certain: Kyera challenges retreat leaders to think bigger. Much bigger. In this episode, Kyera shares how she launched and sold out her first retreat in Ireland, then went on to host luxury...

EP 277 Why Being in the Room Changes Everything: Lessons from the Retreat Industry Forum

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

The Retreat Industry Forum is over... And I'm still getting messages. Every week, retreat leaders, venue owners, and wellness entrepreneurs are reaching out asking: "When is the next one?" "How do I get on the waitlist?" "I heard it was incredible. Are you doing it again?" But here's what's interesting: Most people aren't asking about the presentations. They're talking about the conversations. The connections. The collaborations. The feeling of being surrounded by people who understand this industry and are actively building something meaningful. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders...

EP 276 The Secret Retreat Venue You've Been Sleeping On - Cinnamon Shore, Texas

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

What if your next retreat venue was a walkable, luxury beach community on the Texas Coast — fully furnished, photographer-ready, and designed to make your attendees feel like they're living in a neighborhood instead of checking into a hotel? In this episode, Shannon sits down with Lee Ann Peters, the powerhouse behind Cinnamon Shore — a New Urbanist luxury beach community on the Texas Coast that has become one of Southern Living's Top 10 Beach Towns in the United States. Lee Ann left a successful Atlanta real estate career in the middle of the Great Recession to build something most people...

EP 275 Retreat Leaders vs Venue Owners: The Disconnect Costing You Money

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

If you’re building a retreat business, this episode is required listening. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Catherine Kontos, founder of RetreatBoss, RetreatMatch, and RetreatBoss Magazine, to talk about what it actually takes to build a sustainable and profitable retreat business. With over 14 years in the industry-and a background acquiring and selling over 100 businesses and properties-Catherine brings a level of real business strategy that most of this industry is missing. This conversation about the realities of running retreats as a...

EP 274 Why Your Retreat Isn’t Filling (Even Though You’re Posting Every Day)

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

If you’re posting every day and your retreat still isn’t filling…You’re not alone. But you are likely focusing on the wrong thing. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail breaks down the real reasons your retreat isn’t filling-even when you feel like you’re “doing all the things” on social media. Posting is not a strategy Visibility takes time to build And most retreat leaders don’t give it enough time Shannon walks through the biggest mistakes retreat leaders make when it comes to marketing and visibility-and what to do instead if you actually...

EP 273 How Venue Networks & Influencers Are Changing the Industry with Anna VanAgtmael

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

If you’ve ever felt like hosting a retreat is way more complicated than it should be… You’re not wrong. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with returning guest Anna VanAgtmael to talk about what’s broken in the retreat industry-and what she’s building to fix it. Because right now: 👉 Retreat leaders have the audience but not the logistics 👉 Venues have the space but can’t fill it consistently 👉 And everyone is trying to figure it out on their own Anna shares her new venture-a curated retreat center directory and collaboration with Tiny...

EP 272 Reinvention Isn’t Optional: The Inner Work Behind Building the Life (and Retreat Business) You Actually Want with Dr. Kim Dang

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

If you’ve ever felt like: your dreams are “too big” you’re “too much” or you know you’re capable of more… but you’re not living it yet This episode is for you. In this in-studio episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Dr. Kim Dang, a mathematician, reinvention strategist, and founder who has rebuilt her life and career multiple times-from Yale professor to entrepreneur in the retreat and knowledge space. Dr. Kim flew in from New York to record this conversation live in Austin-and it goes deep. This isn’t just about retreats. This is about the...

More Episodes

If you’ve ever felt like hosting a retreat is way more complicated than it should be…

You’re not wrong.

In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with returning guest Anna VanAgtmael to talk about what’s broken in the retreat industry-and what she’s building to fix it.

Because right now:

👉 Retreat leaders have the audience but not the logistics
👉 Venues have the space but can’t fill it consistently
👉 And everyone is trying to figure it out on their own

Anna shares her new venture-a curated retreat center directory and collaboration with Tiny Habitat-designed to bring retreat leaders, venues, and influencers together into one aligned ecosystem.

This model is built to:

• Simplify retreat planning
• Reduce overwhelm for retreat leaders
• Help venues fill off-season dates
• Create better guest experiences
• Support local communities

They also get into:

Why hosting too many retreats leads to burnout
Why most retreat leaders struggle with logistics
What makes a venue actually “retreat ready”
The power of specialization vs trying to serve everyone
Why honest marketing matters more than ever

If you’re a retreat leader OR a venue owner trying to connect the dots—this conversation will give you a much clearer path forward.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• A new model for running a retreat business
• How venue networks can simplify retreat planning
• Why influencers are becoming part of the retreat ecosystem
• The biggest disconnect between retreat leaders and venues
• How to create better alignment and profitability
• Why specialization is key for both leaders and venues

Key Takeaways

The Industry Is Disconnected

Retreat leaders, venues, and audiences are not aligned-and it’s costing everyone time and money.

A New Model Is Emerging

Venue networks + curated partnerships + influencer alignment = smarter retreats.

Burnout Is Real

Hosting too many retreats is not the goal. Sustainable models win.

Logistics Is the Biggest Gap

Most leaders don’t struggle with ideas-they struggle with execution.

Specialization Wins

Trying to serve everyone = diluted experience and harder marketing.

Honest Marketing Matters

Overpromising kills trust. Clear positioning builds it.

About Anna

Anna VanAgtmael is the founder of Wandering Roots. She hosts adventure retreats for women all over the world and helps entrepreneurs plan and host their own profitable retreats.

Learn more: https://www.yourwanderingroots.com/

Contact Anna at anna@yourwanderingroots.com

Listen to the previous episode with Anna: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-retreat-leaders-podcast/id1186563181?i=1000730960525

The Retreat Leaders Podcast Resources and Links:

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Thanks for tuning into the Retreat Leaders Podcast. Remember to subscribe for more insightful episodes, and visit our website for additional resources. Let’s create a vibrant retreat community together!

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TIMESTAMPS

Introduction to Anna (00:00:50) Host Shannon Jamaal welcomes two-time guest Anna to the show and discusses their upcoming in-person meeting at a retreat forum.

Anna's New Venture (02:05) Anna explains her transition from hosting her own retreats to planning them for others, seeking more freedom and flexibility.

The Evolution of a Retreat Host (03:20) Shannon and Anna discuss the natural evolution of hosting retreats full-time, moving from many events per year to just one or two.

Solving a Problem for Wellness Influencers (04:54) Anna introduces her collaboration with Tiny Habitat, a company that helps wellness influencers host retreats by providing vetted venues and staff.

Benefits for All Parties (08:03) The discussion covers how this new model benefits retreat leaders, venue owners, and Anna's role in creating the experience.

Filling Off-Season Bookings (09:10) Anna explains how her model helps venues fill their calendars during slower seasons, creating a symbiotic relationship with hosts.

Venue Expectations (12:02) Anna details the criteria for venues in her directory, emphasizing nature-based, secluded locations with connections to local vendors.

The Importance of Picking a Niche (14:30) Shannon and Anna discuss why it's crucial for retreat venues to "pick a lane" and not try to be everything to everyone.

Managing Expectations (17:23) The conversation highlights the importance of accurately representing a venue's offerings to attract the right guests and avoid disappointment.

How to Connect with Anna (19:44) Anna shares how listeners, both venue owners and retreat leaders, can get in touch with her to learn more.

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